Plant Physiology and Ecology
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1
Compensation point
Light level where photosynthesis = respiration
2
Saturation point
Light level where more light no longer helps
3
Shade-tolerant plant: light curve
Lower compensation point, lower saturation point, lower max rate
4
Light-demanding plant: light curve
Higher compensation point, higher saturation point, higher max rate
5
Shade tolerance strategies
Flat leaves and branches, larger and thinner leaves, more chlorophyll, low respiration
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Leaf nitrogen vs. photosynthesis
Positive, then levels off. N is in Rubisco and chlorophyll
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Sun leaves vs. shade leaves
Sun: small and thick. Shade: large and thin
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Why conifers dominate the west side
Mild wet winters allow evergreen photosynthesis. Dry summers hurt deciduous trees
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Needle benefits (west side)
Resist water loss, shed snow, keep nutrients for years
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Why west-side conifers get so big
Long growing season, plentiful winter water, large leaf area, long lifespans, water stored in sapwood
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Deciduous vs. conifer production pattern
Deciduous: peaks in summer, stops in winter. Conifers: continue through mild winter
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Rain shadow effect
Air rises up windward slope, cools, rains. Descends leeward slope, warms, dries
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West side summary
Wet, mild, high NPP, high biomass
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East side summary
Dry, bigger temperature swings, lower NPP (water-limited), more fire
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Deciduous: pros
Avoids winter, cheap leaves, high rate
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Deciduous: cons
Rebuild leaves yearly, short growing season
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Evergreen: pros
Photosynthesize any warm period, conserve nutrients
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Evergreen: cons
Costly leaves, lower rate, winter damage risk
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Factors affecting photosynthesis
Light, temperature, CO2, water, nitrogen, VPD
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Why temperature matters for photosynthesis
Enzyme-driven: slow when cold, peaks at optimum, drops when hot
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Photosynthesis equation
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
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NPP equation
NPP = GPP - autotrophic respiration
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Water use efficiency
Carbon gained per water lost
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Soil textures: largest to smallest
Sand, silt, clay
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Lowest infiltration texture
Clay
26
Capillary water
Water held in small pores, plant-available
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Field capacity
Water left after gravity drainage
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Saturation (soil)
All pores full of water
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O horizon
Surface litter
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A horizon
Dark mineral topsoil
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E horizon
Pale leached layer
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Bedrock
Unweathered rock
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CLORPT
Climate, Organisms, Relief, Parent material, Time
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Elements not from soil
C, H, O [CHECK]
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Ecosystem structure vs. function
Structure = the parts. Function = the processes
36
Abiotic vs. biotic
Abiotic = nonliving. Biotic = living
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Community vs. ecosystem
Community = living only. Ecosystem = living + nonliving + energy and nutrient flows
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Environmental gradient
Gradual change in an abiotic factor across space
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WA gradient examples
Natural: rainfall, elevation. Human-caused: urban-to-rural, pollution
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Weather vs. climate
Weather = short-term. Climate = long-term average
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Net radiation surplus and deficit
Surplus at tropics, deficit at poles
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Higher albedo
More reflected, less heat
43
Vapor pressure deficit (VPD)
Saturation vapor pressure minus actual. High VPD = dry air, stomata close
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Why colder at elevation?
Rising air expands and cools. Not about distance from sun
45
Drought adaptations
Waxy cuticle, sunken stomata, small leaves, stomatal closure, deep roots
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Leaf water potential as trees grow taller
Gets more negative, so less photosynthesis
47
2 types of biogeochemical cycles
Gaseous and sedimentary
48
Mass balance
Inputs - outputs = change in storage
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Nutrient inputs
Deposition, N fixation, weathering
50
Nutrient losses
Leaching, erosion, gas emissions, fire, harvest
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Carbon cycle: photosynthesis and respiration
Photosynthesis takes CO2 in. Respiration puts it back
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Ideal unit for biogeochemistry
Watershed
53
Lodgepole pine needles
2 per bundle
54
Ponderosa pine needles
3 per bundle
55
Western white pine needles
5 per bundle
56
Which tree is not a true fir?
Douglas-fir
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